The Cañon City Area Recreation and Park District and the Cañon City community lost a wonderful friend last week in Walter Schepp.  He was always looking for opportunities to enhance recreation in our community and decided to donate 160-acres to the Recreation District back in 2016.  Due to his generosity, we are fortunate to have the Schepp Open Space, which was the key piece of property in the South Cañon Trail system. 

There were numerous open spaces and trail areas in South Cañon in Ecology Park, Section 13, Grape Creek, Dawson Ranch Trails, and Temple Canyon.  However, there was no way to connect these to the river, riverwalk trail, and Cañon City.  In 2016 Brian LeDoux of Fremont Adventure Recreation had an idea to create a trail system in the South Cañon City area.  After meeting with the Recreation District, then Executive Director Jim Hoar spoke with Walter about a potential donation.  He loved the idea and generously donated all 160-acres to the District to connect numerous pieces of public land and create the South Cañon Trails in partnership with the City of Cañon City, Fremont County, Fremont Adventure Recreation, and the Bureau of Land Management.  This area opened to the community in 2017. 

Schepp Open Space gave way to numerous trails and recreational opportunities.  This includes the flow trail, Smooth Criminal, and the bike park, known as The Yard.  Other trails such as Mutton Bustin’, Wagon Trail, Schepp Ridge, Gloria’s Groove which was named after his wife, and ReCycle now exist.  It also allowed areas such as Dawson Ranch Trails, Section 13, and Ecology Park, all connect to the Arkansas Riverwalk Trail system.  Walter’s donation of 160-acres helped make South Cañon Trails a reality, expanding access for walkers, hikers, and bike riders.

Walter Schepp was never a person who wanted glory or recognition, he simply cared about this community and wanted to see everyone prosper.  Walter didn’t do this alone; his wife Gloria was right there with him.  Those two not only supported outdoor recreation, but instrumental in bringing Pueblo Community College to Fremont County.  It didn’t stop there; he made numerous donations to make sure educational offerings expanded through the years at PCC and donated to the Fremont Humane Society.  Many in our community have no idea of the generosity of both Walter and Gloria but enjoy and benefit from their kindness.    

Walter was preceded in death by his wife Gloria, and now these two are reunited. Walter, please know you will be missed and never forgotten.  Thank you for all you and your wife did in our community and know you have made this small corner of the world a better place for all.  God speed.